AN GIANG — A caravan will be organised in An Giang Province to promote the southern province's tourism sector after years of pandemic.

An Giang - Sắc Màu Vùng Biên (An Giang - Colour of Border Area) is expected to introduce the province's most interesting destinations to local and international tourists.

"The caravan will be organised for three days from November 2-4. Visitors will travel on a 162km-long journey, passing through An Giang's districts of Long Xuyên, Thoại Sơn, Tri Tôn, Tịnh Biên and Châu Đốc," said Nguyễn Khánh Hiệp, director of An Giang Province's Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

"Our caravan will lure the participation of about 100 tourism enterprises and companies from HCM City, and localities in the Mekong Delta. They will bring in 30 vehicles to serve tourists' demands," he said.

It is the largest-ever tourism caravan event in An Giang and one of the activities of Culture, Sports and Tourism Week to celebrate the province's 190th anniversary (1832-2022).

The caravan, according to Hiệp, will play a key role in promoting the An Giang tourism sector by creating sustainable tourism products on the basis of local historical and cultural values.

Following the programme, the caravan will start from Long Xuyên City to Thoại Sơn District, driving along the Sập Mountain detour. It allows visitors to admire the panoramic view of the Trúc Lâm An Giang Zen Monastery.

Then, the tour moves to Óc Eo Town to visit the 450ha Óc Eo - Ba Thê national relic site which is home to many rich and diverse relics.

This is a special national relic which shows the existence of the Óc Eo culture, one of the three ancient cultures of Việt Nam along with the Đông Sơn and Sa Huỳnh cultures.

With the values ​​of culture, history, architecture, art, archeology, Óc Eo - Ba Thê has become an important cultural tourism destination of the province and region.

At the mountainous district of Tri Tôn, visitors will see vast fields of trâm trees, a local wild plant with its fruits being An Giang's specialty.

Soài Chek artificial lake, Phụng Hoàng Sơn Mountain, Tà Pạ Pagoda, Tà Pạ Lake and rice fields are also amazing places to check out in this district.

In Tịnh Biên District, Cấm Mountain is the highest mountain in the majestic Thất Sơn Range at 710m above sea level. It has long been known as a place of pilgrimage and worship with famous Buddhist architecture clusters located at the top.

Tourists then make a visit to the Tịnh Biên International Border Gate and perform the flag-salute ceremony at boundary marker No 275.

Near Châu Đốc City, Sam Mountain is a place to see. The 284m-high peak is not only famous for its beautiful scenery but is also a spiritual tourist spot.

There are a range of national historical and cultural relics, such as Bà Chúa Xứ Temple, Thoại Ngọc Hầu Mausoleum and Tây An Pagoda, around the mountain.

"Caravans are a popular tourism trend which has lured a growing number of visitors. This style helps them feel comfortable through their tours in which they can travel, explore and experience new destinations, culture, customs, and cuisine, among other things," said Hiệp, adding that beautiful photos and new friends were also part of the caravan tours.

During the caravan event, a talk show will be organised on November 3 so that provincial tourism managers can speak, share and listen to companies about An Giang's caravan tourism potential and plans to improve its service quality. VNS